Frank Seravalli

Daily News Staff Writer

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Without a pick in the second round to start Saturday’s action at the NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers had an early pick in the third round courtesy of Columbus and their deal on Thursday for Jeff Carter.

Here’s the scoop on how the Flyers spent their five picks on Saturday:

NICK COUSINSRound: 3 (68th overall)Position: CenterAge: 17 (Jul. 20, 1993)Height: 5-foot-11Weight: 170 poundsHometown: Belleville, Ontario, CanadaThe scoop: Cousins is a smallish but scrappy forward who really developed into a solid scorer in the OHL with Sault Ste. Marie last season, jumping from 32 points in 2009-10 to 68 last season in the same amount of games.Outlook: Not even 18 years old yet, Cousins will spend at least another year or two in the OHL, could turn out to be a Mark Recchi-type player.The kid says: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Flyers organization,” Cousins said. “I think I bring a lot of grit to my game as well, which suits their game. But I think I have some skill, too. I think I have a playmaking ability and an offensive upside that not many people may have. I think it’s a good fit. I just can’t way to get started.”

COLIN SUELLENTROPRound: 4 (116th overall)Position: DefenseAge: 18 (June 10, 1993)Height: 6-foot-1Weight: 190 poundsHometown: Plantation, FloridaThe scoop: Suellentrop is a bruiser of a defenseman. His numbers - 14 points last year with the Oshawa Generals (OHL) - may not jump off the page but they don't tell the whole story with this stay-at-home defenseman.Outlook: Suellentrop has some work to do but could turn out to be a solid defenseman in the mold of New Jersey's Colin White.They say: "Definitely a prospect who made great strides this year, after being thrust into a larger role on an improving team. He's a stay at home type defender with good size at 6'2, 190lbs (probably fills out into the 210lbs range as a pro), but he's also fairly mobile. That mobility on the back end is definitely something NHL scouts look for in physical, stay at home types. While Suellentrop certainly profiles as a physical, shut down type, he will need to become a bit meaner and use his size in front of the net. He also will need to improve his positional defense, as at times he can get caught flat footed by forwards attacking off the rush. But on the plus side, his offensive game started to make strides later in the year and he even began to use that mobility by skating the puck out of his own zone, instead of making simple chip plays. He'll likely have to play on Oshawa's top pairing next year (because of graduations) so that makes him a likely breakout candidate given the improvements he made this year." -From the OHL Prospect Blog, which ranked him 50th among Top 50 OHL Prospects.Note: Suellentrop was not at the Draft in Minnesota.

MARCEL NOEBELSRound: 4 (118th overall)Position: ForwardAge: 19Height: 6-foot-2Weight: 205 poundsHometown: Toenisvorst, GermanyThe scoop: One of the best import players in Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) history. Racked up 54 points in 66 games. Finished ranked as 49th best European skater in the Central Scouting rankings. Noebels was the secon Germany native picked in the draft, just four pucks behind countryman Tobias Rieder. Outlook: Noebels isn't a very flashy player but he is a power forward in the making.The kid says: "I actually had the most contact with the Flyers. I was thinking I might get picked by Philadelphia. We had a good talk at the Combine. I think I learned a lot (in the WHL), I think it was the right decision to come over here (to North America), it was to get drafted higher. It was a nice season, I think I had a good year. It was hard. I missed my family and my friends sometimes, but I went this way to play in the NHL. I don't think I made a mistake. I'm proud (to be drafted). I'd say I'm a power forward who goes to the net hard, plays hard every game. I think that's what the Flyers are looking for."

PETR PLACEKRound: 6 (176th overall)Position: ForwardAge: 19Height: 6-foot-4Weight: 200Hometown: Czech RepublicThe scoop: Placek is a bit of a sleeper out of the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. He is a big winger who chipped in with 16 goals in 24 games for Hotchkiss in an elite prep school league. Placek is not known for his speed but is raved about for his hockey smarts and big game presence.Outlook: Placek will enroll in Harvard this fall to play for Ted Donato.Note: Placek was not at the Draft in Minnesota.

DEREK MATHERSRound: 7 (206th overall)Position: Right WingAge: 18 (Aug. 4, 1993)Height: 6-foot-3Weight: 230 poundsHometown: Strathroy, Ontario, CanadaThe scoop: Mathers picked up just 5 points in 55 games last season for Peterborough (OHL), but Mathers has an edge in his game by racking up 171 penalty minutes. He was one of the premier heavyweights in the OHL last season.Outlook: A bruise who could be an impact fighter.Note: Mathers was not at the Draft in Minnesota.